Cholesterol is a soft, fatty, waxy substance that has various functions in the body that include being a structural part of cell membranes and the production of hormones like cortisol, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. Cholesterol is also involved in production of bile for digestion. It is transported to cells in your body through the blood. Your total blood cholesterol level is made up of the two types of cholesterol found in the body, along with a type of fat called triglycerides.
Cholesterol Transport
Cholesterol cannot dissolve in blood. Because of this, it needs to be transported to cells in special carriers called lipoproteins. Cholesterol makes up the inner part of a lipoprotein molecule while the outer part is made of protein. There are two types of cholesterol. They are high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL).
Low Density Lipoprotein
Low density lipoprotein is also called bad cholesterol. When the amount of LDL being transported by the blood is high, it can slowly accumulate on the walls of the blood vessels or arteries. A combination of LDL on the walls of the arteries and other substances in the body converts the LDL to plaque. Plaque makes the usually elastic blood vessels hard and less flexible. Narrowed blood vessels are a result of plaque accumulation and can lead to reduction of blood flow to the heart and brain. Plaque can break away from the walls of the arteries and form clots that can cut off blood supply to the heart or brain. This results in a heart attack, or stroke when the brain is involved.
High Density Lipoprotein
High density lipoproteins are referred to as good cholesterol. Normal levels of HDL are associated with decreased risk of heart disease like heart attacks and angina. One third to a quarter of the cholesterol in your body is transported by HDL. Cholesterol in the body is transported to the liver by HDL. The liver then processes the cholesterol and removes it from the body. HDL also removes cholesterol from plaque. This slows down the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the arteries. Low levels of HDL is associated with an increase in your risk of heart disease.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats produced by the body. When you eat, your body converts the excess calories in your food to triglycerides for storage in fat cells. Triglycerides are released into your blood stream when you need energy. High levels of triglycerides increase your risk for heart disease and are often associated with high LDL levels and low HDL levels. High triglyceride levels can be due to being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption or a lack of activity.
Sources of Cholesterol
The fats and cholesterol in your body come from two sources. Cholesterol comes from the food you eat and is manufactured in your body by the liver. Foods that are high in fat such as, red meat, poultry with the skin on it, coconuts, coconut oil and fried foods can increase your cholesterol levels. Some people make more cholesterol than others. This is due to a genetic factor. Some families have genes that cause high cholesterol production while others don't.
